Specification at a glance

Assessment overview

* Indicates inclusion of synoptic assessment.

Students must complete all components (01, 02, 03 and 04) to be awarded the OCR A Level in English Language and Literature (EMC).

Students who are retaking the qualification may carry forward their result for the non-exam assessment component.

Content overview

The qualification develops students’ ability to apply and integrate linguistic and literary approaches to a wide range of spoken and written texts. The texts are from different periods and include prose, poetry, drama and non-literary texts.

Component 01: Exploring non-fiction and spoken texts

Students focus on the study of an OCR (EMC) anthology of twenty spoken and written non-fiction texts from different time periods, types of text and contexts. Some of the spoken texts in the anthology will be spontaneous or semi-spontaneous talk, but will be confined to texts that are for a public audience.

Texts will be refreshed after three years; centres will be notified in advance.

Component 02: The language of poetry and plays

Students explore poetic and dramatic texts through stylistic and dramatic analysis.

There are two sections:

• Section A focuses on one poetry collection from a choice of six, each with 15 poems identified for study.
• Section B focuses on one drama text from a choice of six.

This component draws on the discipline of stylistics to foster an integrated study of linguistic and literary approaches to poetry and drama.

The set texts will be reviewed after three years and may be subject to change. Centres will be informed of any changes one year in advance.

Component 03: Reading as a writer, writing as a reader

Students explore the nature of narrative in one prose fiction text from a choice of six and produce an original piece of writing in the narrative genre.

There are two sections:

• Section A focuses on the nature of narrative in one prose fiction text from a choice of six set texts.
• Section B requires students to draw upon their understanding of how narratives work as the basis for their own original writing in the genre. This allows them to demonstrate expertise and creativity in the use of English to communicate in different ways.

The set texts will be reviewed after three years and may be subject to change. Centres will be informed of any changes one year in advance.

Component 04: Independent study: analysing and producing texts

There are two parts:

• In task 1 students pursue a particular interest and develop their expertise through an analytical comparative essay on one non-fiction set text (selected from a list of twelve) and a second text of their own choosing. At least one text must have been published post-2000.
• In task 2 students produce a piece of original non-fiction writing in an appropriate genre.

Assessment overview

* Indicates inclusion of synoptic assessment.

Students must complete both components (01 and 02) to be awarded the OCR AS Level in English Language and Literature (EMC).

Content overview

Students study a wide range of spoken and written texts from different times including three substantial texts, which include prose, poetry and non-literary texts. They apply both linguistic and literary approaches to inform their responses to and appreciation of the texts.

Component 01: Non-fiction written and spoken texts

Students focus on an anthology of twenty written and spoken non-fiction texts from across different time periods. There are two sections:

• Section A: Reading spoken and written non-fiction
• Section B: Writing non-fiction.

Texts will be refreshed after three years; centres will be notified in advance.

Component 02: The language of literary texts

There are two sections:

• Section A: The language of prose – focuses on one prose text from a choice of six. Students write a close analysis of narrative techniques in the set text extract and place it in the context of the novel as a whole.
• Section B: The language of poetry – focuses on one collection of poetry texts from a choice of six. Each collection comprises fifteen poems. Students apply the discipline of stylistics in an integrated study of linguistic and literary approaches to poetry.

The set texts will be reviewed after three years and may be subject to change. Centres will be informed of any changes one year in advance.